Recall

665.  "Recall"            January 2, 2013
Jude 24-25   Part 15 
Summary of Jude
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.   KJV

LET IT GLOW

Sometimes it is good to recall things and other times it is best to leave the past in the past. I can think on the many blessings which God poured out on me and my family this past year. These years seem to be flying by, don't they. Maybe it's because I am getting older. Can you believe it is 2013? Just yesterday it was the 1990's.

Here we read the benediction of Jude, the brother of James and half brother of Jesus. He wrote to encourage believers in Jesus to warn them of apostasy.

Jude causes us to recall some things about God that I often don't consider:

1. God is able to keep me from falling, which means not stumbling, standing firm, exempt from
    falling. (Thayer's Lexicon)

    The people of God are liable to falling into temptation, into sin, into errors and mistakes, from a
    degree of steadfastness in Gospel truths, and even into a final and total apostasy, were it not for
    divine power; and they are not able to keep themselves.
    (The New John Gill Expisition of the Entire Bible)

    However, I believe Christians are preserved by the grace of God.

2. Jesus is able to present us faultless before a Holy God. How? Believers that have trusted in Jesus as
    Savior, asked His forgiveness of sins, are clothed in Jesus' robe of Rightousness. It is a robe
    washed in the blood of the Lamb of Godwhich He sees us clothed in, not our filthy rags of sin.

3. Everyone will be joyful, Jesus who presents us, God who receives us, angels who observe us, and
    we who were sinners on earth. Will there be shouts of joy?

4. The only wise God our Savior Jesus, is part of the Trinity-Father and Holy Spirit. He is the author
     of all wisdom, natural and spiritual.
     "God is by nature a saving God, unlike the reluctant and indifferent false deities of human and
     demon invention. Divine wisdom is embodied by Christ alone and not by any human person or
     group, like the apostates," says The MacArthur Bible Commentary.

5. He is glorious in His deity, divine sonship, mediatorial works, and salvation!

6. He is majestic-King of kings and Lord of lords.

7. He has dominion over everything, both natural and supernatural, on earth, under the earth, and
    above the earth.

8. He is all-powerful, omnipotent. Eventually, every knee will bow to King Jesus and the evil devil
    will be defeated.

9. Both now and forever be glory, majesty, dominion, and power to our God.

Wow! He is The Great I AM.

LET IT GROW

John MacArthur has a profile of an apostate that summarizes the descriptions which Jude warned believers about:

• ungodly (v.4)
• morally perverted (v.4)
• deny Christ (v.4)
• defile the flesh (v.8)
• rebellious (v.10)
• revile holy angels (v.8)
• dreamers (v.10)
• ignorant (v.10)
• corrupted (v.10)
• grumblers (v.16)
• fault-finders (v.16)
• self-seeking (v.16)
• arrogant speakers (v.16)
• flatterers (v.16)
• mockers (v.18)
• cause division (v.19)
• worldly minded (v.19)
• without the Spirit (v.19).

I sure don't want to be like those false teachers.

* As I was reading for tomorrow's lesson, I found out some interesting history, which involves two grandsons of Jude. Domitian was an emperor at that time (90's A.D.). He followed the nortorious Nero in ruling the Roman empire. Here is what Charles Swindoll, the author of Swindoll's New Testament Insights on Revelation said:

Domitian, afraid of the kingdom of God and wanting to rid the world of any threats to his own power, sought out the known descendants of King David. He called in two grandsons of Jesus' brother Jude for questioning regarding the nature of Christ's kingdom and whether they wrere heirs to the throne. To Domitian's surprise, however, these Jewish Christian relatives of Jesus explained that the kingdom they believed in and proclaimed was not earthly but heavenly, and it was to be established at the end of the world. Additionally, the two had little monetary worth. After showing the emperor their empty pockets, he released them from custody.
 

I pray that my children and grandchildren will continue to have faith and serve our Lord Jesus throughout their lives. This is the type of lineage I desire. How about you?

LET IT GO

Let go of grumbling and fault finding, worldly mindedness, ungodliness.

Thank Jesus for being all-powerful, all wise, and ever present.

Praise to the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Give God all the glory due Him.

Share Jesus and His salvation with my grandchildren.

*Revelation is our next study. Are you up for the challenge? Pardon me if I appear a little hesitant.

Needful of the New

664.  "Needful of the New"                January 1, 2012
Jude 22-23     Part 14
And of some have compassion, making a difference; And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  KJV

LET IT GLOW

Here we are, the first day of a new year! I feel refreshed, even though life and circumstances are still the same as they were yesterday. Maybe it's the hope for better, putting away last year's struggles, burying problems of woe, having the Lord chisel off the not-so-good from me.
Maybe it's the excitement of NEW being available. New what, I don't know. Just NEW. Fill in the blank.
I need a new _______________, Jesus.

If I were finishing that sentence, I can think of several possibilities:
I need a new  healthier body, a new heart of joy,  stronger faith, surrendered will, encouraging way, outspoken witness of evangelism, and more songs of praise to my Savior, not to mention the physical things.

Of what are you in need? Why don't we ask Jesus for them?

The John MacArthur Bible Commentary says the word some indicate three possible groups:

1. Sincere doubters who deserve compassion,
2. Those who are deeper in unbelief and urgently need to be pulled from the fire,
3. Those declared disciples of apostasy who still deserve mercy, but are to be handled with much fear, lest the would-be-resuer also be spiritually sullied.

He goes on to say that these three groups are more likely scenarioes.
Am I alert to such people, whose doctrine or unbelief in Jesus are in need of hearing the Truth of Jesus?

LET IT GROW

What can I do to help those people?

• Show compassion, which means to succor one afflicted or seeking aid (Thayer's Lexicon); compassionate by word or deed, specifically by divine grace (Strong's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament);
• Make a difference. Share and care; love our neighbors; help those in need.
• Help others find salvation in Jesus.
• Show mercy.

These victims of the apostate teachers need mercy and patience because they have not yet reached a firm conclusion about charist and eternal life, and so remain doubters, who could possibly be swayed to the truth. (MacArthur)

Have mercy onn those who waver in doubt; save those you can by snatching them, as it were, from the flames. show mercy in godlly fear, although you hate the clothes they wear, stained as they are by the flesh. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

We are to confront those who doubt, or convince them by patient instruction. Flirting with falsehood is like playing with fire. When we reach out to those engulfed in the flames of apostasy, we save them from destruction. We are to approach people in need with mercy and with fear. (Charles Swindoll)

We are to love the sinner, hate the sin.

I can always show more compassion toward others.

LET IT GO

Have a renewal of spiritual matters.

Love Jesus and others.

Let go of bitterness and unforgiveness.

Show more compassion.

*Happy New Year, friends!

Buildings

663.  "Buildings"                     December 31, 2012
Jude 20-21    Part 13
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  KJV

LET IT GLOW

My church is currently in the process of building a new sanctuary. The first thing done was the leveling the ground, then a cement foundation was poured. Next, the support beams were erected, walls and roof, doors and windows. We are blessed with a construction man in our church that is doing most of the work. He knows what he is doing. He knows the correct steps to take. I have seen the evidence in another church which he worked on and it is very good.
So it is with the Christian life-we need to build up ourselves on our most holy faith, as the key verse says.
Here are some comparisons of building our Christian character and building a physical building:

• A good foundation and cornerstone are essential for both. (Jesus is not only our foundation, as in 1 Corinthians 3:11, but also our cornerstone, as in Ephesians 2:20.)
• Positioning the structure is important to both. The center of gravity must fall within the base.(God's Word is what we build into our lives.)
• It is a progressive work-beams, stones, bricks. (Gold, silver, precious stones are going to build our home in heaven. Their materials are made of love, faith, hope, self-denial, patience)
• We must build for eternity and inspection in mind. Just as the physical building has to pass inspections and codes, judged by those trained in that area, so the Lord Jesus will judge our works done here.

The readers to whom Jude was writing were to act as moral and responsible agents in these, or were to put forth their own proper exertions to do it. they were to seek to establish themselves most firmly in the belief of the doctrines and practice of duties of that system of religion.  (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

Am I building up my faith or tearing it down? Am I building up the faith of others, or am I tearing it down? Things to ponder.

LET IT GROW

These two key verses give us some ways to grow:

1. build up
2. pray up
3. keep up
4. look up

We have discussed building up our faith. It is acheived, acually an ongoing proccess, that is done through the daily reading of Scriptures, memorizing Scriptures, worship, fellowship, and prayer.

Jude tells us to:

• build up our faith,
• pray up in the Holy Ghost,
• keep in love with God,
• look up for mercy and eternal life in Jesus.

The believer's responsibility is to be obedient and faithful by living out his salvation (Phil. 2:12), while God works out His will (Phil. 2:13).  (John MacArthur)

As I have lived these last two weeks visiting two hospitals of family members, it was a trying time that built my faith, challenged me to pray without ceasing under the Holy Spirit's direction, kept me going in God's love, secured me with His mercy, and focused my thoughts on eternity's being only a breath away.

Here we are at the end of another year, 2012. As I look back over the year, I ask myself:
Did I complete God's assignments for me?
Did I serve and honor Him with all my heart?
Did I allow Him to work in me, through me, and around me?
What have I learned in my walk with Jesus this year?
Have I given Him everything?
Does Jesus know that He is my everything?
Things to ponder.

LET IT GO

Keep my faith in Jesus growing. Grow in His grace and knowledge of Him.

Let go of any doubts of His power and abilities.

Stay prayed up.

Remain in God's love.

Look up to heaven, my eternal home.

*Updates: My husband is getting back to normal; sil is eating Jello and talking.
We appreciate everyones' prayers during their stay in the hospital. I hope to visit with Wanda soon.

Contented or Complainer?

662.  "Contented or Complainer?"
 December 28, 2012
Jude 16-19   Part 12
These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would  be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them.  NLT

LET IT GLOW

Flattery will get you everywhere.
Have you heard that phrase before?
It may be true for some folks, but it isn't true for me. I can usually see through the flattering words and understand the purpose behind them, which is not to encourage me, but use me to get something for the speaker. Jude is still describing those apostates.
(There are 6 more verses left in this Book, so hang in there with me.) Jude is certainly not using flattery in his writings.

"These grumblers and malcontents follow their own lusts; their bloated words are nothing but flattery," states Liberty Bible Commentary.

I looked up the words that King James uses to find their definition in Thayer's Lexicon:
murmerers-one who discontentedly complains;
complainers-complaining of one's lot; discontent;
lusts-desire, craving, longing; a longing for what is forbidden;
swelling words.

The New Living Translation uses these descriptive words for the apostates:
grumblers, complainers, braggers, flatterers, scoffers, dividers.

The English Standard Version uses these words:
grumblers, malcontents, sinners, loud-mouth boasters, favoritismers (my word).

The New International Version uses faultfinders instead of complainers. followers of natural instincts instead of spiritual.

When an -er is added onto a word, it denotes a person or implement performing the act. (Webster's Dictionary)

So Jude is talking about the people doing these things.
Although I am not one, an apostates, but a follower of Jesus, do I sometimes find myself acting and talking like one?

LET IT GROW

Here are some things MacArthur Bible Commentary has to say about these verses:

• This is the only place that the word grumblers is found in the New Testament.
• Complainers were finding fault; they gave vent to disatisfaction with God's will and way as was the case with Israel, Sodom, the fallen angels, Cain, Korah, and Balaam.
• The unconverted is described as walking after their own lusts; driven by a desire for sinful self-satisfaction.
• They mouth great words, speaking arrogantly, pompously, even magnificently, but with empty, lifeless words of no spiritual value.
• They flatter people, telling them what they want to hear for their own profit rather than proclaiming the truth of God's Word for the auditors' benefit.

Author Charles Swindoll gives us some ideas on what to do about any people we encounter that are this way:

• Alert others and inform them so they are not surprised by these false teachers.
• Listen to their words and look at their lifestyle.
• Keep in shape by keeping in God's Word.
• Pray and depend on the Holy Spirit.
• Win people to Jesus.

Paul learned that whatever state he was in, to be content (Phil. 4:11), and with such things as he had (Heb. 13 5).
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thess. 5:18


LET IT GO

Stay in  Bible study and prayer.

Learn to be content and grateful.

Thank Jesus for all I have and for my situation.

Ancestral Line

661.  "Ancestral Line"                        December 26, 2012
Jude 14-15     Part 11
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.  (KJV)

LET IT GLOW

In my family, I am the third child, the second daughter of my parents. Dad was the second child, the first son in his family; Mom was the sixth child in her family, the third daughter.  That's my ancestral lineage. Go any farther back and I would have to look it up in our book my distant cousin put together. Do you know where you are on you ancestral line?

What about Enoch? Who was Enoch? Genesis 5:18-24 explains:

• Jared was his father. (verse 18)
• He became the father of Methuselah at age 65. (verse 21)
• He walked with God. (verse 24)
• He didn't die-God took him directly to heaven. (verse 24)
• He was seventh down the line from Adam. (Jude 14)
• He lived and prophesied before The Flood.

Prophesied refers to the idea of foretelling future events pertaining especially to the kingdom of God. (Thayer's Lexicon)

The first coming of Christ was revealed to Adam; his second, glorious coming, to Enoch; the seventh from Adam foretold the things which will conclude the seventh age of the world. St. Jude might know this either from some ancient book, or tradition, or immediate revelation. (Westley's Notes)

Enoch, in his translation without death illustrated that truth which he all of his life preached the certainty of the Lord's coming, resurrection of the dead. (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary)

You talk about a blessed man. He knew the Lord. Probably, he heard about what took place in The Garden of Eden. His revelation of the birth of the Messiah and the Lord's second coming resulted in his prophesying; he walked with God; and didn't die. What else could he want?

Will I be known as a woman who walked with God? I want to be, but so many times I have failed and walked in the flesh.

LET IT GROW

Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinner have spoken against him.

These ungodly men had a lack of reverence for God and infiltrated the church of God to corrupt it and gain riches from its people. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

What is Jude saying?

• The Lord Jesus will come with His saints, believers, to execute judgment during the Lord's  earthly reign.
•  He used the word ungodly four times in this verse. They mean basically the same thing: ungodliness, to be ungodly, act impiously. (Impiously is defined as lacking reverence for God, profane, according to Webster's Dictionary); destitute of reverential awe towards God, contemning God, impious.

So these apostates, false teachers, false prophets, are ungodly, and ungodly in their deeds (acts), which they have ungodly committed (way), and are ungodly sinners. It was for such people that Christ died. (Rom. 5:6)

How are my deeds, my ways? Am I known as an ungodly sinner, or are my ways righteous, living as Jesus would?

New Living Translation, verse 15b says, He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

Am I ready for that? I have done some of those. (Had to add this, couldn't let it pass by after I read it in my chronological Bible today.)



LET IT GO

Walk with God daily.

Let go of  any ungodly ways.

Be more forgiving and loving, merciful and gracious.

*Thank you all for your prayers for my husband and sister in law, Wanda. Two weeks after open heart surgery, she is awake, can sequeeze a hand to communicate. However, she still has dialysis since kidneys aren't working yet. I am asking for a Wanda Miracle for her to talk, getting the tube out of her throat. Roger made it through the 4 ablations on his heart, to correct the rythm problem. He is recovering at home now, since Friday.
God is soooooooo very good to my family!!!!!!!!!!

Hidden Rocks

660. "Hidden Rocks"                     December 13, 2012
Jude 12,13-Part 10
These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm-shepherds who feed only themselves. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.  NIV

LET IT GLOW
* Special prayer request: My sister in law, Wanda, is having 2 heart valves replaced this morning at 10am. Please pray for her. Thanks.

Friends, come in out of the cold, take your coat off, sip a cup of hot tea with me as we warm by the glowing fire studying God's Word today. I'm so glad you've come. I think I need that tea so I can relax because these last 10 verses have been so gloomy.  Let me go get some sugar or sweetener. I think we're going to need it.
Jude continues to describe the apostates, false teacher, false prophets. Where's the encouragement? Words to live by? Phrases to memorize and meditate on? Well, dear ones, we are not to be like these people he describes. Aren't we to be the opposite? Make yourself comfortable as I explain.

Various translations of the Bible use in place of spots (KJV), blemishes, hidden rocks. Spots refers to rocks in the sea, ledge or reef; of men who by their conduct, damage others morally, wreck them as it were. (Thayer's Lexicon)

Am I keeping my faith as a hidden rock?

MacArthur Bible Commentary says:

Spots can be "hidden rocks" or "reefs" or as "stains." These apostates were dirt spots, fifth on the garment of the church; or more likely, what God intended for the church as smooth sailing, they turned into a potential shipwreck through their presence. Love feasts were the regular gathering of the early church to partake of the bread and cup, plus share a common meal.
 

Do you mean to say, these deceivers had the nerve to eat with believers of the church? Yeap. (I see we are both shaking our heads in dismay.)

So how is Jude describing these guys' character now in our verses?

1. deceptively and fearlessly  attending dinners as hidden reefs; (potential for shipwreck)
2. disappointing as rainless clouds; (hope of rain, but delivers dryness and death)
3. dead as fruitless and uprooted trees; (barren trees without fruit due to being uprooted)
4. destructive as raging waves; (promise powerful ministry, wreak havoc, worthless workers) 
5. doomed as falling stars (a brilliant meteor or shooting star that fades away into nothing).

Resources: New Testament Postcards, a Bible study guide by Charles Swindoll, MacArthur Bible Commentary.

LET IT GROW

As I considered that my life should be the opposite of those apostates, here's what I came up with:

• Let my faith be as solid as a rock and exposed as a reef. (From a plane, a reef is green colored surrounded by a blue ocean.
• Allow the Holy Spirit to reign in my life, bringing refreshing hope and love to others.
• Bare fruit of the Spirit as a tree planted by a river, grounded with deep roots in Jesus.
• Be a calm gentle wave in a stormy sea of life.
• Be a shining star as Jesus lives through me.

LET IT GO

Let go of fear, hopelessness, selfishness, raging anger, dull life.

Surrender to Jesus, allowing Him to be the star of my life.

Bare spiritual fruit.

Animals

659.  "Animals"        December 12, 2012
Jude 10,11-Part 9
Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals-these are the very things that destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion. NIV

LET IT GLOW

Previously, Jude was exhorting us to contend for the faith, yet he continues to give us some bold reminders concerning apostates, false teachers, and false prophets.

Charles Swindoll, in his study guide New Testament Postcards, described the apostates this way:

• Their doom is certain, like Sodom and Gomorrah.
• Their tongues are blasphemous, speak evil, and are irreverent toward things that are sacred and holy.
• they verbally revile things they don't understand.
• Their religion is empty.
• They rejected authority, like the fallen angels.

Their way of life is to allow the instincts they share with "unreasoning animals" to run wild in the streets-unleashed and unrestrained. This lifestyle is governed by animal instincts, and withers and disfigures character:"by these things they are destroyed(corrupted)". Ephesians 4:22

I recall visiting a couple of towns in the Dominican Republic last month. I saw cows running down the paved street and another time a man riding on a horse. Pigs, chickens, and dogs were inside fences. I thought of these animals when I read this.

LET IT GROW

Apostasy is nothing new; it's as old as the human race, isn't it? Jude makes three references to Old Testament strayers:

• The way of Cain, on the broad way that led to destruction. He tried to gain acceptance with God through the fruit of his works rather than the blood of a substitionary sacrifice. (Genesis 4)
• The error of Balaam, who was a prophet greedy for gold. (Numbers 22-25)
• The rebellion of Korah, a Levite, which he led against Moses and Aaron, that resulted in Korah swollowed up by an earthquake. (Numbers 16) 

With this warning, we can conclude:
*there is a way of Cain instead of a way of Christ,
*there is the error of Balaam instead of the truth of Christ,
*there is the death of Korah instead of the life of Christ.

We can choose our ways following Christ, His truth, and life, or rebell and follow death. It's our choice. God's gift of grace is available for us to take, just for the asking. 

LET IT GO

Be grateful for God's gift of grace.

Watch out for wild animals, false teachers.

Stay in the Word.

Encountered Angels

658.  "Encountered Angels"     December 11, 2012
Jude 9-Part 8
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. KJV

LET IT GLOW

I believe in guardian angels, don't you? Several times they have rescued my family from harm. Do you know the times angels appeared to people? Elisabeth, Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds encountered angels. Have you? Here is an angel that is named-Michael.

Who is Michael?

• Michael means "who is like God?" It is the name of an archangel, who was supposed to be the guardian angel of the Israelites. (Thayer's Lexicon)
• Michael is the messenger of God who came to Daniel, and is called by him prince of the people of Israel. (Young's Concordiance)
• He is an archangel. Archangel refers to one of the princes and leaders of the angels. (Thayer's Lexicon)
• He leads the holy angels. (MacArthur)
• He contended, disputed with the devil about the body of Moses. This is the only mention in Scripture about the struggle over the body of Moses. Michael had to fight with Satan to do God's bidding.
• Michael did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him (the devil) but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" NIV
• He is also mentioned by name in Daniel 10, Daniel 12, and Revelation 12. Every time Michael appears, it is in the context of battle or readiness to fight. (Guzik)
• Why the dispute over Moses' body? Commentators suggest that the devil wanted to tempt the Israelites into idolatry, worshiping Moses' body instead of God. Perhaps the devil knew a purpose God had for Moses' body at the appearing on the Mount of Transfiguration with Elijah and Jesus, so the devil wanted to defeat that plan. (Matt. 17:1-3)

I am glad there are angels around us. I am also glad that God is all-powerful and in charge. They were quite busy during the Bible times. Many Scriptures tell us. Look up "angel" and see how many references there are.

LET IT GROW

There are invisible, angelic beings all around us. Ministering spirits are sent by God to assist us and there are demonic spirits who want to defeat us.

It's not the why but the how, the manner of Michael's fighting that is important. It is a model for spiritual warfare. Michael battles with the Lord's authority. (Michael is not Jesus in the verse.) Michael doesn't rebuke the devil in his own authority, but in the authority of Jesus. (Bauckham)

We all need to be aware of demons who want to corrupt, defile Christians who want to walk in purity and freedom. Let's be time bombs to the devil, ready to wreck his work.
We work in Jesus' name and with the Holy Spirit's power.

Who knows, maybe today you or I will encounter an angel unaware. Don't forget to entertain strangers, it just might be an angel. (Hebrews 13:2)

LET IT GO

Turn from the world. Turn to Jesus.

Remember that we have angels to help us in this spiritual battle.

Day Dreaming

657.  "Day Dreaming     December 10, 2012
Jude 8-Part 7
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. KJV

LET IT GLOW

Day dreaming. When bored with lecturing teachers, I would let my mind wonder somewhere else. We must be careful about what our mind dwells on, what thoughts we let wonder in. Before we know it, we can be in La-la land entertaining impure thoughts-places we would never go in the physical realm.

Jude is warning about dreamers, these apostates, false teachers, false prophets.
The Thayer's Lexicon defines dreamers as to be beguiled with sensual images and carried away to an impious course of conduct. Webster's Dictionary defines impious as lacking reverence for God; profane.

So these kind of dreamers were those which Jude compared to in previous verses, with the unbelieving Israelites, fallen angels, and homosexuals of Sodom.

These dreamers:

• defiled the flesh-polluted their own bodies;
• despised dominion-rejected authority
• spoke evil of dignities-slandered celestial beings.

(phrases were from the New International Version of the Bible)

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible says:

He (Jude) means to say that these false teachers and their followers were as unbelieving and disobedient as the Israelites in the wilderness, as rebellious against the authority of God as the fallen angels, and as impure and unholy as the Sodomites; and that consequently they must expect similar punishment.
 

I need to guard my thoughts and not daydream. The devil can throw me some curve balls and tempt me to strike when I normally would not do so.

LET IT GROW

Luke 6:45 says, The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Am I protecting my heart? Is it washed with the Blood of the Lamb?
I want to be a good person who brings good things out of the good stored up in my heart. Also, my mouth speaks from the overflow of my heart. Therefore, if my heart is filled with the love of Jesus, then it will be shown in my actions and my words.

LET IT GO

Turn away impure thoughts.

Rebuke the devil.

Think on pure thoughts, on things above, not on the earth.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Den of Sin

656.  "Den of Sin"       December 7, 2012
Jude 7-Part 6
In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.  NIV

LET IT GLOW

When someone says my name after I have died, I want my life to be a good example of following Jesus. Also, I want my church and town to be known as a place where Jesus dwelled, not a den of sin.
Jude uses two cities as examples of a den of sin. What were they?

The destruction of these cities ar the southeast corner of the Dead Sea is used over twenty times in Scripture as an illustration of God's judgment during the days of Abraham and Lot. Their apostasy occured about 450 years after the flood and only 100 years after Noah's death. People would have known about the message of righteousness and judgment from God which Noah preached, and which they rejected. (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

The terrible sin of these cities is homosexuality, for which God destroyed the whole area. The point in this passage is that the people of God were lured away from the true worship of God by the homosexual cities (Gen. 18-19) and they were therefore destroyed. In the Bible, the most serious sins are those which draw others away from the true worship of God or hinder others from believing in Christ (Deut. 13:1-11, Mark 9:42).  (Liberty Bible Commentary)

I think the warning from Jude is for us to not give ourselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. Teach our children what God says are the right and pure ways to live, then be the example ourselves.

LET IT GROW

The latter part of verse 7 tells me to allow S & G to be an example of God's fire of earthly judgment, which was a preview of fire that can't be quenched in eternal hell.

Other Scriptures to read on this include: Matt. 3:12, 18:8, 25:41; Mark 9:43-44, 46-48; Luke 3:17; Rev. 19:20, 20:14-15, 21:8.

Resource: MacArthur Bible Commentary 

Other commentaries call homosexuality a detestable and unnatural sin, to which I agree.

Am I standing up for the Bible and earnestly contending for the faith? Or am I passive and not speaking out against this sin?

LET IT GO

Stay committed to Jesus and His teachings of purity.

Warn others of judgment for homosexuals.

Help my town and church to have a good reputation (Christianity)for future generations.

Angels

655.  "Angels"        December 6, 2012
Jude 6-Part 5
And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. NIV

LET IT GLOW

As I think about angels, there were several active around Jesus' birth-Mary before conception, Joseph in a dream, Zacharias before John was born. Angels are messengers of God. Our key verse mentions angels, but not in a good way. Let's look further.

In this verse, we read of the second example of apostasy to which Jude refers. It is  the apostasy of fallen angels that is described in Genesis 6:1-3.
These angels broke rank and stepped lustfully beyond their prescribed abode to cohabit with human women. (Swindoll)

2 Peter 2:4 says, For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.

The false teachers who are exploiting Peter's Christian readers will certainly be punished in the day of judgment by our Righteous God. (Falwell)

God punished me who sinned and angels who, before defecting, once sang His praises.

If I am not careful, I can be deep in sin within a moment.


LET IT GROW

What is verse 6 warning me?

• First, I should stand firm, keeping my position next to Christ.
• Fight this spiritual battle with God's armor found in Ephesians 6-helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, shoes of peace, sword of the Word, shield of faith, all of which are provided by Him.
• Don't abandon my home. Stay where God put me and leave only whenever He directs. Stay in the church, in the family, in the neighborhood where He wants His light to shine through me.
• Continue in the light of Jesus.
• Be free from the chain of sin by confessing.

LET IT GO

Beware of false teachings and teachers.

Stay in the Word of God.

Remain where God has put me. Be His light shining wherever I go.

Thank Jesus for coming into the world, suffering so much, in order to provide my salvation.

Sing His praises!

A Modern Miracle

654.  "A Modern Miracle"    December 5, 2012
Jude 5-Part 4
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. KJV

LET IT GLOW

Are there any miracles that God has done in your life? There is one in particular for me. On December 21, 2001, after surgery, I stopped breathing, turning blue. My husband saw this and called for help. My doctors happened to still be close and gave me the right medicine to override the morphene. I say that I am living my extended life that God has given me. So I will celebrate 11 years of life soon. How grateful I am for a second chance to serve Him!
Jude wants his readers to remember an occurance back in Old Testament times. What was it?

God delivered His people the Israelites out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt. Through His servant Moses, God showed miraculous signs as He brought on the ten plagues upon Egypt. I think the day they walked toward the wilderness was a day of singing praises to God. Such joyful hearts! No more being a slave to the Egyptians. No more hard work. Freedom. The Red Sea crossing was an experience they never stopped talking about. Or did they?

Do I remember the miracles God has done in my life?

• He created me. (My brother is 7 years older than I, so I was unexpected.)
• He saved me.
• He delivered me out of my bondage to sin.
• He gave me breath again and extended my life.
• He provides all I need.

It is always good to remember. How about you? Any miracles in your life?

LET IT GROW

They Hebrews traveled across the desert. When they came to the borders of the Promised Land.
Then 12 men were sent to spy it out. Only two (Caleb and Joshua) had faith that they could conquer it, bringing back a good report. After seeing all the lucious fruit, and experiencing miracles, the ten men focused on the giants instead of how powerful  God is and what He could do. They did not look with excitement to see Him take the land for them. What happened? The people sided with the ten instead of the two. As a result, those 20 years and older all died in the the wilderness, except those two.
The wilderness was a graveyard that Paul (1 Cor. 10:5-11) and the writer of Hebrews (3:18-4:2) and Jude (verse 5) wrote about. It was the unbelief that displeased God (Heb. 3:19).

Luke 1:37 says, For with God nothing shall be impossible.

It was impossible for man, but not impossible for God-immpregnate a virgin by the Holy Spirit (Mary) and an old woman (Elisabeth) beyond childbearing years. By faith I believe this happened and history records John the Baptist and Jesus were real human beings.

How strong is my faith? When I face giants, do I believe and trust God to eliminate them? Do they keep me from experiencing the Promised Land that God wants me to live in now? Will I let Jesus conquer my fears and doubts? How about you?

LET IT GO

Remember all that God has done for me.

Thank Him daily for creating me, saving me, and extending my life.

Trust God for more miracles.

Pretzels

653.  "Pretzels"     December 4, 2012
Jude 4-Part 3
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.  (NAS)

LET IT GLOW

I like to eat pretzels. I eat them instead of chips with my sandwich, as a crunchy snack, whenever I want something salty. I don't like the stick ones, but the 3 clover ones. You know, the twisted ones.
In this verse, Jude is warning of ungodly people who twist the grace of God.

Who are the people that have crept into the church unnoticed? They were false teachers, the apostates, who opposed the mainstream teaching of the Christian faith. They didn't harbor doubts in their minds but full-sailed defiance in their hearts. Everywhere these defiant men went, division and dissension followed. Their effect was lethal, striking at the very core of Christian truth.

Jude describes these ungodly persons:

1. They turn the grace of our God into licentiousness.
2. They deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

These people twisted and turned the grace of God into an opportunity to satisfy their own sensual appetities. Turn means to transpose or change the place of. It is used to describe the altering of a concllusion, or the changing of a person's name, mind, or loyaltes. (Swindoll's New Testament Postcard)

They are godless men, who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (NIV)

Like a pretzel is twisted into shape, these false teachers were twisting God's grace. No wonder Jude was writing to warn his readers.

I sure don't want to be guilty of twisting God's Words, nor using it to justify immorality.

LET IT GROW

Here we have a reason to "contend earnestly for the faith."
Apostasy is a falling-away from the faith. In Greek literature it was used of rebels who defect from a cause. It was also used in the phrase "bill of divorce," where the word divorce is a translation of the Greek word apostasia.

Contend means to fight or to struggle intensely.

Am I always aware of false teachings or teachers? I must learn the Word in order to be able to spot them.
Do I fight for the truth? I must know the difference between false and true doctrine and words.

LET IT GO

Stand up for my faith in Jesus and His Word.

Recognize the difference between false and true teachings.

Beware of twisted words.

Do we Have Anything in Common?

652.  "Do we Have Anything in Common? "
December 3, 2012
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. NAS

LET IT GLOW

I was a stranger is a strange land.
My mission trip to the Dominican Republic  made such a lasting impression on my life. Did I have anything in common with these people? Our language, lifestyle, and worship were very different. Even though I could only understand a few Spanish words, I felt like I had a lot in common with the Christians in the churches where we attended worship services and fellowships. It was the love of our Savior and the Holy spirit that bound us together as brothers and sisters in the faith. Perhaps Jude felt the same way.

What did Jude and his readers have in common?

• salvation
• faith
• sainthood as believers in Jesus Christ.

Do I allow the love of Jesus to be a common bond with others? Do you and I have anything in common?

LET IT GROW

What is Jude wanting his readers to do?
He wants them to (earnestly in KJV) contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

What does that long sentence mean?
In his study guide, New Testament Postcards, Charles Swindoll says:

The theme of this letter is found in the admonition to "contend earnestly for the faith." The Greek word for "contend" is epagonizesthai. It means "to fight" or "to struggle" intensely. We get our word agonize from it. the picture is one of a wrestling match with a formidable opponent in an ancient gymnasium, thick and humid with the smell of sweat.
 

Furthermore, Swindoll says for us to not let someone take away the nucleus of our faith without a struggle. It's worth fighting for, so don't be afraid to get on the canvas and wrestle for it.
If my focus is on comfortable pews and thermostat settings, am I really going to want to break into a sweat and "contend earnestly for the faith?"

"The faith" is the body of truth contained in the Scriptures, which effects our lifestyle. It is firmly structured around the good news delivered once at the cross-and for all. The faith is not delivered to a privileged few on God's list, but is given to the "saints."

Jude wrote this urgent imperative for Christians to wage war against error in all forms and to fight strenuously for the truth, like a soldier who has been entrusted with a sacred task of guarding a holy treasure. Scripture is complete, sufficient, and finished; therefore it is fixed for all time. Nothing is to be added to the body of the inspired Word because nothing else is needed.  (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

 The word all jumped out at me today. Earlier, my attention was brought to 2 Corinthians 9:8, And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (NIV)

What word is used four times in that one verse? All is used.
God's grace is all grace for me, in all things, at all times, so I have all that I need to share with others.

Now, that's the kind of grace I want. How about you? Am I contending, fighting for the faith?

LET IT GO

Let love, faith, and salvation be a common bond with fellow Christians.

Allow God's grace to be all-sufficient for me.

Stand up for Jesus.

Serving

651.  "Serving"            November 20, 2012
Introduction to Jude
Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.  Jude 1-2, NAS

LET IT GLOW

Our mission team of 8 people stayed in two homes while we were in the D.R. One was a widow of a retired pastor and the other was a couple who had served in the same capacity. Since we were in and out of each home for 3 days visiting in 7 communities of 6 churches, there were servant ladies who came to cook our meals. How graciously they kept our glasses filled and bowls of food supplied. There was always a table full of a variety of food native to their land. I could tell that their service was from a heart of love. As I read what Jude wrote, I have the feeling that he had the same love for his readers of this small letter. Shall we begin our study?

Who was Jude? He explains in the first verse:

• the author of this letter;
• a servant of Jesus Christ;
• a brother of James, who wrote the Book bearing his name;
• probably the half brother of Jesus and the son of Mary and Joseph (Matt. 13:55, Mark 6:3);

Jude regards himself as having only one distinction in life-to be forever at the disposal of Jesus, his Master. (Swindoll)

Servant, in this verse, means "one who gives himself up wholly to another's will;" those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men: of other preachers and teachers of the gospel. (Thayer's Lexicon)

Jude preferred not to mention the family relationship to Jesus directly; perhaps the mention of James, who was a leading figure in the church in Jerusalem, was enough to give weight to his identity. His boast, like Peter and Paul, was that he was a "slave" of Jesus Christ.  (Falwell)

To whom was Jude writing? Perhaps they are in the Palestine area, since they know James. However, it is unknown who the audience with whom Jude was corresponding. So I am thinking, what does Jude have to say to me? to you? to our churches? What does God have to say to us through Jude?

BACKGROUND:

The MacArthur Bible Commentary says this:

Jude lived at a time when Christianity was under severe political attack from Rome and aggressive spiritual infiltration from gnostic-like apostates and libertines who sowed abundant seed for a gigantic harvest of doctrinal error. Except for John, who lived at the close of the century, all of the other apostles had been martyred and Christianity was thought to be extremely vulnerable. Thus, Jude called the church to fight for the truth in the midst of intense spiritual warfare.
 

The date must then lie somewhere between about A.D. 65 and 80, perhaps A.D. 67-68. Whether before or after 2 Peter, Jude is at least in the same general period. The place of writing is not indicated but quite likely is Jerusalem.  (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Here is what we know about the readers found in King James Version:

• They are sanctified by God the Father.
• They are preserved in Jesus Christ.
• They are called.

The New American Standard Bible says they are the called, beloved, and kept.
The call of God is a call to be loved and kept securely in the love of Jesus Christ (see Rom. 8:30-39).


New Living Translation says: I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.


LET IT GROW

Verse 2 says, Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Where law and works prevail, there is failure and death. Where grace prevails, there is mercy
 (Eph. 2:4, Heb. 4:16), peace (Rom. 5:1), and love (Rom. 5:5) in abundance. (MacArthur)

This is what I want for you and me today-mercy, peace, and love multiplied from God.

LET IT GO

Thank the Lord Jesus that He keeps me safe in His care.

Share the mercy, peace, and love of God with others today.

Be a servant of Jesus Christ today.